Martin Luther King Jr statue dedicated by President Obama on Memorial Dedication day (Video)

US President Barack Obama led the dedication of the statue of the late Martin Luther King Jr. on Sunday, October 16, 2011, with the video of his speech available below.

US President Barack Obama and the First Family, standing in front of the Martin Luther King Jr statueImage Credit: Chuck Kennedy/White House

As noted by the White House on its official website that day, President Obama was joined by First Lady Michelle Obama and their two daughters during the Martin Luther King Jr Memorial Dedication.

Also present on the said event are Marian Robinson, Michelle’s mother, and King’s eldest son, Martin Luther King III, who also gave his speech in front of the huge crowd.

The white Martin Luther King Jr statue, which was curved by Chinese artist Lei Yixin, stands about 30 feet tall and depicted the civil rights leader’s image with his arms crossing each other.

The huge granite monument serves as a strong reminder of the American hero’s dream of social and economic justice, was erected at the National Mall in Washington, D.C.

Apparently, the Martin Luther King Jr monument was supposed to be dedicated last August 28, the 48th anniversary of his “I Have a Dream” speech, but was postponed due to Hurricane Irene.

“For this day, we celebrate Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s return to the National Mall.” President Obama said on his speech, with the event attended by tens of thousands of people, young and old, black and white.

“And Dr. King would be the first to remind us that this memorial is not for him alone. The movement of which he was a part depended on an entire generation of leaders.” The president added.

The complete transcript of President Obama‘s speech on Martin Luther King Jr Memorial Dedication can be found at Whitehouse.org, the official website of the White House.

US President Barack Obama speaks at the Martin Luther King Jr Memorial DedicationVideo Credit: WhiteHouse.gov